Electro-Voice XLD makes its debut in the Channel Islands

May 6th, 2009

The first Electro-Voice line array system has arrived in the Channel Islands. Stage 2 Productions, Jersey’s biggest concert and event company, has completed its first shows with its new EV XLD compact line array, featuring the latest XCS312 flown subbass cabinets, and is already planning to increase its inventory.

Deploying the new system for high-profile demanding productions like BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter James Morrison and top TV comedian Al Murray, Stage 2 Productions has given the XLD cabinets a fiery baptism. Proprietor Rob Ritchie reports that “both events went really well, with the system performing fantastically.“

Stage 2 Productions has, for some time, operated in the upper echelons of event service providers. “But our old point-source system was just not acceptable anymore. We had to update,“ explains Ritchie. “Our fundamental criteria were for a scalable and versatile system, where we could use a third of it for a small hotel gig, up to the whole system on an outdoor show for several thousand people. We needed it to perform in both ground-stacked and flown formats. And we needed it to be flexible, able to handle a client list which includes everything from dance events to classical concerts to Status Quo.“

After thorough research into the market, Ritchie plumped for the XLD system: “We looked at several alternatives, but no one could match the XLD offering in terms of performance and cost.“ The decision was endorsed by colleagues at APR Sound in Taunton, which carries EV’s X-Line, XLC, and XLD systems. The two companies have collaborated on several projects, including the Glastonbury Festival - the UK’s largest.

Stage 2 Productions has purchased 18x XLD281 cabinets, plus XCS312 cardioid subs, which has the same rigging footprint as the 281, allowing it be arrayed directly above or below. The XCS312 subs can be also be used as the base for ground-stack applications. Currently powered by Stage 2’s CP analogue amplifiers, Rob Ritchie is now seeking to upgrade to EV’s P3000RL remote-control models, as well as increasing the inventory by another 6x XLD281 cabinets, and adding some Xsubs into the equation.

“We have many other EV products within our hire stock, including QRx loudspeakers, PX stage monitors, SxA100+ powered boxes, DC-One controllers, EVID loudspeakers, P Series and CP Series amplifiers and RE2 wireless mic systems, and I can say we’ve never been disappointed by an EV product.“

In the coming months, Stage 2 Productions expects to use its XLD system for the Bootleg Beatles, Blake and All Angels, Status Quo, and McFly. “We knew this was the line array for us: compact, very powerful, and with awesome sound. It is already the largest system on the Channel Islands, and it is going to be very, very busy this summer.“